Tour Turkey with the Best Private Guides
Turkish & American team designing your itinerary with local Turkish guides
Meet Some of Our Popular Guides
Elif Güneri
Tour Guide
Having graduated from Selcuk University with a degree in Tour Guiding in the class of 2005, Elif has been actively engaged in guiding guests since 2006. Her expertise extends beyond Turkey, encompassing tours of the Greek Islands and Athens. Nonetheless, since 2010, her primary focus has been on leading tours in Istanbul. She holds a profound appreciation for her role, deriving immense satisfaction from acquainting guests with the cultural, historical, and culinary treasures of Turkey. In her invitation, she warmly welcomes others to join in exploring the enchanting city of Istanbul together.
Mehmet Kuntasal
Tour Guide
Mehmet, born in the Western Anatolian town of Eskişehir, holds a degree from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara obtained in 1979. Initially trained as a city planner, Mehmet later acquired a guiding license from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1984. Since settling in Cappadocia in 2005, Mehmet has garnered recognition for delivering high-quality classical, hiking, and faith tours within the region. As a guide, he brings forth a wealth of knowledge, a delightful sense of humor, and an easy-going demeanor, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable travel experience for all.
Gökçen Art
Tour Guide
Gökçen Art, is one of our tour guides based in Istanbul, As a member of the Sojourn team, Gökçen was born in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, but spent her formative years in Istanbul. She pursued her academic journey at Istanbul University, specializing in Arabic Language, and later attained a master's degree in the History Department at Bogazici University. With over 25 years of experience as a tour guide, she has dedicated herself to guiding people through cultural exploration. Specializing in topics like culinary arts, religious history, and social structures of Türkiye, she creates loves to create engaging experiences for her guests. Through personal conversations, she fosters connections, making friends along the way. Married with a 24-year-old daughter, she finds fulfillment in sharing her passion for cultural discovery with others.
Rabia Öznalbant
Tour Guide
With a degree in Travel Agency Management and German language specialization from Mersin University, Rabia brings extensive experience from various travel agencies. Her passion for culture and history led her to study Tour Guiding at Ege University, obtaining a professional license in 2006. For 15 years, she has been a proud part of Sojourn, finding joy in sharing her knowledge with diverse tourist groups. As a dedicated parent based in Kusadasi, she enjoys the region's natural beauty and has embraced a new adventure on a small farm since the pandemic. As a pastime she engages in tours with colleagues to explore more of Turkey to provide you with the best experiences possible on your journey to Turkey.
Süleyman Tıraşoğlu
Tour Guide
Hailing from a serene town near the Mediterranean city of Antalya, Süleyman embarked on his educational journey culminating in a degree in English language teaching, a field that ignited his passion for language and communication. Following a fulfilling tenure as a teacher, Süleyman transitioned into the profession of tour guiding, obtaining his guiding license in 1997. Since then, he has been wholeheartedly dedicated to showcasing the wonders of Turkey to visitors from around the globe, particularly from the United States. His tours offer a deep appreciation for Turkey's breathtaking scenery, rich culture, and historical sites, leaving an indelible mark on those who explore the country with him.Presently residing in Cappadocia with his spouse and two children, Süleyman finds happiness in this enchanting region, where he has made his home for the past six years. Cappadocia's unique landscapes and rich history provide the perfect backdrop for Süleyman to continue sharing his passion for Turkey with travelers from near and far.
Feray Kocabaş
Tour Guide
Fluent in both English and German, Feray pursued a profession as a certified tour guide. With a career spanning collaborations with various travel agencies and tour groups, she joined Sojourn four years ago. Having lived in Antalya for 17 years, her love for the city has grown immensely. As a parent of two children, a boy and a girl, she prioritizes quality time through activities like trekking, swimming, and exploring new places. She finds the art of communication particularly fascinating and she loves sharing stories about travel and history. Guiding others throughout Turkey brings Feray immense joy, and given another opportunity at life, she stated, “she would unquestionably choose the same profession again”.
Şennur Aslan Savaş
Tour Guide
Originally from Sivas, a city nestled in the heart of Anatolia, Şennur has had the privilege of experiencing various regions of Turkey during her childhood, which has fostered a deep appreciation for the diverse cultures within her country. In 2006, she graduated from Selcuk University's Tourism Guiding Department, marking the beginning of her illustrious career. As a Professional National Tourist Guide affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey, Şennur has dedicated 16 years to passionately sharing the historical and cultural treasures of her homeland with visitors from around the globe. She takes immense joy in her work and considers it a point of pride to be a part of Sojourn as a guide. She enjoys meeting people from all corners of the globe. She endeavors to leave each person she meets with fond memories of her warm smile, ensuring their journey through Turkey is as delightful as it is informative.
Ferruh Armutcuoğlu
Tour Guide
Ferruh is a seasoned guide with a profound passion for travel, holds a professional tour guide license from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. His background includes academic pursuits in English Language and Literature, MA studies in the UK, and a PhD focused on Translation Theories. Formerly an academic at Istanbul's Galatasaray University, he now dedicates himself full-time to guiding, bringing a unique blend of academia and practical expertise into the mix. With a diverse background in art, archaeology, and history, Ferruh conducts workshops on interpretation and cross-cultural topics. Viewing travelers as guests, not tourists, he emphasizes a holistic cultural experience and invites others to join him for an enthusiastic exploration of Turkey.
Sakis Leonidis
Tour Guide
With a profound passion for history and culture, Sakis’ areas of specialty encompasses Biblical and Jewish Heritage Sites, Wine Roads in Turkey, Byzantine Studies, and Pre-Greek Cultures in Anatolia. HIs extensive travels to over 40 countries and 120 cities, both as a traveler and a guide, have enriched his understanding of diverse cultures. Fluent in Turkish, Greek, and English, he brings a multilingual dimension to your touring experience.
Mehmet Tetik
Tour Guide
With over three decades of expertise, Mehmet has become intimately acquainted with the historical treasures nestled within Istanbul's vibrant streets but has also had the privilege of exploring various breathtaking locations throughout Turkey. Born and raised in the mesmerizing city of Istanbul, Mehmet’s passion for art set him on a fascinating path into fine arts. Eager to deepen his understanding, he ventured into studying restoration techniques, enhancing his appreciation for preserving cultural heritage. After obtaining certification as a qualified guide in 1995, it has been both an honor and pleasure for him to share his knowledge with countless visitors worldwide. Alongside his love for exploring and appreciating art, family values hold a special place in his heart, and he considers himself fortunate to be a caring husband, cherishing the joys of marriage, and a proud father of an amazing daughter.
Popular Tours
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